Fresh calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step down from office have emerged ahead of the 2027 general election, with a key ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accusing the administration of failing to fulfil its most important responsibilities.
The latest demand comes barely days after former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi reportedly suggested that President Tinubu should consider stepping aside if he could no longer effectively address Nigeria’s worsening challenges.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Atiku Abubakar’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, argued that resigning should not be viewed as a sign of weakness but rather an act of patriotism if a leader is unable to meet the expectations of citizens.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has fallen short in its constitutional duty to provide security and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
“It’s not a sign of weakness for a leader to resign. It’s a patriotic act. Let me tell you why President Tinubu needs to resign. The primary responsibility of the government is security and welfare. Are we more secure now than we were in 2023? The answer is no.”
Ibe dismissed claims that the government was making meaningful progress in tackling insecurity, insisting that many Nigerians remain vulnerable to kidnappings, bandit attacks and other violent crimes.
He pointed to the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren and other victims in different parts of the country as evidence that the administration has failed to restore public confidence.
“Their best is just not good enough. We can’t continue on this journey of trial and error. The truth of the matter is that Tinubu is incompetent and he’s clueless. He came on board with no set skills. Nigeria is a very complex country, and to be able to govern this country, you need to be wired for that. He is not.”
The Atiku camp also questioned ongoing discussions around state policing, alleging that some of the proposals are politically motivated as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
The latest criticism adds to a growing list of opposition figures questioning the president’s performance. Earlier, Peter Obi had reportedly urged President Tinubu to consider stepping down and allow a more capable leadership to tackle the country’s economic and security challenges.
With less than two years before the next presidential election, calls for accountability and debates over the future of Tinubu’s administration are expected to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape.
